Door locking / shutting problem

[steve100]

I have a 1996 Griff 500, there is an intermittent problem with the pasenger door, sometimes it shuts ok, sometimes (usually when showing the car to a mate) it doesn't catch to and bounces open. It has also 'opened its self' whilst the car is moving. Has anyone else had this problem or know a fix ?

[Ballistic Banana]

could be the where the door lock catches on the body(U shaped metal bar), it hae a few allen key type bolts that can come undone and drops a bit. Then the door doewsnt close and catch properly.
Or your door has dropped, Take to garage to fix as mucho hassle re aligning it yorself.

BB

[steve100]

I dont think there's an alignment problem, there's no 'play' in the door and i could go to the car now in my garage and open and shut the door 'smoothly' ten or twenty times consecutively (i've done it) but as soon as i take someone out and they get out and close the door.... here we go again door won't catch to this time. its a wonder i have'nt taken the lock to bits before now

[Ballistic Banana]

Deffiantly sounds like the catch on the Body that may be loose or slightly out of line then to me. This is what happened with my passenger door. Shut ok most times and then wouldnt, also came undone while driving



BB

[Seasider]

steve100 said:

(i've done it) but as soon as i take someone out and they get out and close the door.... here we go again door won't catch to this time.

You also have the knack
Agree with BB try tightening the latch had the same problem on mine...

[neilmac]

Does this happen just the same when you use either the inside door release or the outside push-button?

I have had this and it it because the release cable from the inside lever was not running smoothly and the doorlock would "only just" close properly, so would easily spring open. Whereas using the outside push-button was fine.

Hope this helps.

Neil

[groucho]

I find the door doesn't shut properly sometimes (not without slamming it) on mine because the windows are quite high in the frame to make a good seal on the rubber. Funnily enough it's the passenger one like yours.
If you wind the window down a little it shuts much easier. Mind there's not a lot to grab.
Don't know about the flying open bit.

The reason other people can't shut the door is because they're not used to it. When you shut the door from the outside you probably shut it firmly right where the catch is. I've noticed some people try and shut the door by pushing it at the top of the window. It won't shut like that a lot of times.
My missus does it all the time, then I have to bollock her.

Grouch.

>> Edited by groucho on Wednesday 5th January 16:41

[steve100]

Thanks for the tips, guys.
Looks like i've almost pinned it down. It only happens after releasing the door using the inside lever, also i've found that if you pull the inside lever very slowly and release it as soon as the door opens its ok.
But if you pull the lever right back as far as it will go it happens almost every time.
I will start checking the cable from the lock back to the lever.

Thanks

[Ballistic Banana]

Hi Steve,

I have some pics herethat show the dash off, you might be able to find the route of the cables in the pictures. pebbledash supplied the info so dropping him a mail might help.

Does make sense that maybe the cable is snagged somewhere or maybe the door lever is stiff and not returning properly.

all the best

BB

>> Edited by Ballistic Banana on Thursday 6th January 22:10

[neilmac]

Cables run rearwards from the inside handle mechanisms, running beneath the gearbox tunnel cover and they turn 90 degrees to go behind each seat to get to the door lock.

Undo the 2 nuts behind each seat to lift the cover enough to feel the route of the cables, hopefully just a little wiggling and making sure the cables are not trapped when the cover is tightened back down will sort it!

Neil